Providence Community Groups Receive Federal Funding to Fight Tobacco Use
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Six Providence-based community groups have received a portion of $3.3 million in economic stimulus funding that was awarded to the Department of Health and the Mayor's Substance Abuse Prevention Council to combat tobacco use. The Council and the Rhode Island Department of Health were awarded a $3.3 million federal stimulus grant, and a portion of this funding was granted to the six local community organizations (The Center for Hispanic Policy and Advocacy, John Hope Settlement House, Urban League of Rhode Island, Young Voices, the Providence Community Health Centers, and the Providence Housing Authority.)
“[The initiative's] goal will be to alert the public to the dangers of tobacco use, to help tobacco users quit, and to work with young people to ensure their healthy development,” said Mayor David Cicilline.
The campaign will establish policies aimed at restricting tobacco access and marketing, especially in susceptible, low-income communities. It will provide free services for quitting smoking to the uninsured through the Providence Community Health Centers, establish a smoke-free program in Providence Housing Authority sites, create smoke-free campuses, and restrict tobacco sponsorship in public schools. With funds from the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) the program will also intensify police enforcement of underage tobacco sales.
